Shloka 24
Adhyāya 2: Nārada’s Disclosure—Karṇa’s Training and the Brahmin’s Curse (Śānti-parva)
येन विस्पर्थसे नित्यं यदर्थ घटसेडनिशम् । युध्यतस्तेन ते पाप भूमिश्षक्रं ग्रसिष्पति
yena visparthase nityaṁ yadartha ghaṭase 'niśam | yudhyatas tena te pāpa bhūmiḥ śakraṁ grasiṣyati ||
Nārada disse: “Ó pecador! Aquele com quem estás para sempre consumido pela rivalidade, e cuja derrota buscas sem cessar—ao lutares contra ele, a terra engolirá a roda do teu carro.”
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
Relentless envy and hostile rivalry are adharma; they mature into a proportionate consequence. The verse frames downfall as karmic: the very struggle pursued out of jealousy becomes the setting of one’s humiliation and defeat.
Nārada delivers a sharp admonition/forewarning to a rivalrous, sinful person: when he fights the one he envies and tries to surpass, the earth will swallow his chariot wheel—an image of sudden immobilization and impending defeat in battle.